'Nightmare Bacteria' Found in Several Patients at UHC

The 'nightmare bacteria,' carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae or CRE, is a serious concern for local hospitals.

Mark Povroznik is the chief quality officer and chairman of infection control at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport.

He said the bacteria has become resistant to the strongest antibiotics and can be deadly.

"When you have an infection that continues to need to be treated, you keep going up the scale in more potent antibiotics to get one step ahead of the bacteria. Now the bacteria have evened out the war by learning these antibiotics," Povroznik said.

Povroznik reported that the hospital has seen several cases, but when it is identified, patients are isolated right away.

"Really no one is immune to acquiring this bacteria, but when we identify it, we take immediate steps to protect everyone," Povroznik said.

He added that the bacteria takes on different forms and there have been 37 types reported.